HORE, Robert William aka “Nice Guy Bill” born October 22, 1934 has left the stage. He made his final exit on October 4, 2020, without his immense family by his side. Thank you COVID!
After 85 years on this little planet of ours, Bill called it quits. He will join the love of his life Ruthie, Lucy his Topcat and his best friend Jean who have been waiting for him at the cottage in the sky with a cold beer, crib board and ready to laugh about the old times at Meenach Lake.
Bill embarked on his 85 trips around the sun in the little town of Ice Lake on Manitoulin Island, born to the late Mona and William (Bill) Hore. He grew up on a farm sharing his childhood with his many siblings. His brothers and sisters Charles, Russell, Robert, Freddie, Ivan, James (Ted), Edith, Ethel and Claudia will be happy to see him again. His brother John (Jack) and sisters Ellen, Laurel and Darlene have been left behind.
At a young age Bill left school to help on the family farm. While he only attained grade 8, he was an exceptional mathematician and went on to become a General Foreman at Algoma Steel, breaking and setting records for rolling steel.
He fell in love with and married his only wife, and love of his life Margaret Ruth Hore (nee Brydges) at the tender age of 17. It was not until after the wedding that Ruth would learn that Bill had duped her and she had married a younger man, something that Bill would never hear the end of. They settled in Sault Ste. Marie and began their family.
A man of few words, but many talents Bill was a skilled chess and checkers player, with an almost supernatural ability to win at any game of cards that he was challenged to. Whether or not he followed the rules is still up for debate. Suspicions that Bill was a Soothsayer arose for anyone who enjoyed a game of scrabble with him, and we still wait for the words he introduced to show up in the English language.
Also known as a fashionable man who never wore jeans, Bill was one of the founders of the “comb over”. Bill was an avid supporter of local businesses and establishments and he was a frequent patron of The White Eagle, Roosevelt and in later years Reggies.
In 2017 Bill started to become dizzy from his 82 trips around the sun and decided on October 4, 2017 to take up residence at Mapleview Extendicare in Sault Ste. Marie. He was particularly fond of Carrie, Colleen, Tera and Glenda for making him laugh and providing great care to him. He largely enjoyed most of the staff on the Ranger Lake Floor. Bill’s daughters Shelley and Susan would like to acknowledge and thank Becky and Jean-Marc Desmeules for advocating so strongly for our father’s care and for fighting so strongly against a profit-driven administration and flawed system.
Upon hearing that a second wave of COVID-19 is looming, exactly 3 years from moving in to Extendicare, Bill decided to get the hell out of Dodge and move on to better things.
He will be fondly remembered by his offspring Michael (Marilyn) Hore, Mitchell (Kay) Hore, Susan (Brad) Loubert, Shelley (Shane) LeBouef, Robert Hore and everyone’s favourite Becky (Jean-Marc) Desmeules.
Bill was very proud of his childrens children Amanda (Mike) Pellerita, Micheal Jon (Jessie) Hore, Cody (Tiffany) Hore, Jason Lisa (Hore), Marica Hore (Justin), Crystal (Johnny) Spina, Adam Loubert (Melanie), Jake (Tammy) Loubert, Chelsey LeBouef and Sarah Campbell.
Bill was astonished that his descendants continued to multiply to include 11 great grand children. And then 5 great, great grandchildren. And then Bill stopped counting.
In lieu of flowers and donations please take the time to do a random act of kindness for a stranger today in honour of Nice Guy Bill. For sure this will have his infectious smile beaming down at you!
A private celebration of Bill's life will be held for his immediate family. Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley (492 Wellington Street East 705-759-2522).
I meant what I said and said what I meant – Dr. Suess